Synopsis: One of the most powerful non-tropical storms ever in the continental United States will continue to lift northeast into Canada dragging the accompanying cold front through the region on Wednesday. Rain will taper off for most areas west of the Susquehanna by the morning rush but could linger in southeast areas through the early afternoon. Western areas will have a mostly clear Wednesday. Thursday will bring breezy conditions throughout the commonwealth and the chance of lake effect showers in the northwest. Thursday night will be cooler and change any lake effect rain showers to snow showers. Friday will remain cool with highs not getting out of the forties across much of the state. Clear skies on Friday night will allow temperatures to drop to their lowest levels of the season thus far. Temperatures over the weekend look to moderate some, but will remain below average. A chance for rain/snow showers exists overnight Saturday, but Sunday should dry out as high pressure returns.

Short term: As is expected for State College, we did not receive much rain from this storm system, despite its record breaking status.  The rain has ceased in western areas of Pennsylvania and can be expected to decrease over the next 12 hours from West to East.  I would suspect that most areas west of line from Harrisburg to Scranton will be dry by the morning rush.  Areas south and east though could see some rain showers lingering into the afternoon. The 00z WRF has the last of the rain pushing out of the SEPA between 15-18z today (11am-2pm).  Contrarily, the 00z GFS run has rain lingering in Eastern PA through the evening.  Clouds, or no clouds, that is the question across the state today.  For areas that do not see rain, there will likely be some, if not abundant sunshine today. State College could be on the sun/cloud dividing line, but given the large nature of this storm, the dry slot will likely to help bring most of the state rather sunny conditions, especially by evening hours.  Temperatures today will be in the 60s. Tonight's lows will range from the mid-40s to mid-50s, under mostly clear skies. Mostly sunny skies for Thursday.

Long term: A secondary, more evident cold front will pass through the state on Thursday afternoon.  While high temperatures on Thursday could reach the 60s in many locales, this will all change with the passage of the front. Significant cold air advection will not only bring about colder temperatures but will also feel much more present given the breezy conditions that can be expected.  Some rain/snow showers could develop along coastal Lake Erie Thursday night.  Temperatures on Friday will struggle to reach 50 in many areas in the Northern Tier. Temperatures over the weekend will moderate some, but will remain below average. A chance for rain/snow showers exists overnight Saturday, but Sunday should dry out as high pressure returns.

Daniel Pollak